Showing papers on "Pressure measurement published in 2007"

Toward an internally consistent pressure scale.

Abstract: Our ability to interpret seismic observations including the seismic discontinuities and the density and velocity profiles in the earth's interior is critically dependent on the accuracy of pressure measurements up to 364 GPa at high temperature. Pressure scales based on the reduced shock-wave equations of state alone may predict pressure variations up to 7% in the megabar pressure range at room temperature and even higher percentage at high temperature, leading to large uncertainties in understanding the nature of the seismic discontinuities and chemical composition of the earth's interior. Here, we report compression data of gold (Au), platinum (Pt), the NaCl-B2 phase, and solid neon (Ne) at 300 K and high temperatures up to megabar pressures. Combined with existing experimental data, the compression data were used to establish internally consistent thermal equations of state of Au, Pt, NaCl-B2, and solid Ne. The internally consistent pressure scales provide a tractable, accurate baseline for comparing high pressure-temperature experimental data with theoretical calculations and the seismic observations, thereby advancing our understanding fundamental high-pressure phenomena and the chemistry and physics of the earth's interior.

How to assess mean blood pressure properly at the brachial artery level.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Mean arterial pressure at the upper arm is traditionally calculated by adding one-third of the pulse pressure to the diastolic pressure. We questioned the general validity of this formula. METHODS: We used previously recorded resting intrabrachial pressure and Riva-Rocci Korotkoff blood pressure measurements in 57 subjects (study A) and 24-h intra-arterial recordings obtained in 22 ambulant subjects (study B). RESULTS: In study A the intra-arterially measured 'real' mean pressure was found at 39.5 +/- 2.5% of pulse pressure above diastolic pressure, namely at a level higher than the expected 33.3% of pulse pressure, in all individuals. Results were not related to age, blood pressure, pulse pressure or heart rate levels. Mean pressure calculated with the traditional one-third rule therefore underestimated 'real' mean pressure by 5.0 +/- 2.3 mmHg (P < 0.01) when calculated from intra-arterial pressure readings, and by 4.9 +/- 5.3 mmHg (P < 0.01) when calculated from Riva-Rocci Korotkoff readings. In study B we showed activity-related variations in the relative level of the 'real' mean pressure, which increased by 1.8 +/- 1.4% (P < 0.01) during sleep, and decreased by 0.5 +/- 0.9% during walking (P < 0.05) and by 0.8 +/- 1.3% during cycling (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The mean pressure at the upper arm is underestimated when calculated using the traditional formula of adding one-third of the pulse pressure to the diastolic pressure. This underestimation can be avoided by adding 40% of pulse pressure to the diastolic pressure. The proposed approach needs to be validated through larger scale studies

Non-invasive pressure measurement in a fluid adjustable restrictive device

Abstract: An implantable restriction device is configured to provide a restriction in a patient as a function of the pressure of fluid. The implantable restriction device includes one or more pressure sensors configured to sense pressure of the fluid within the implantable restriction device. Pressure data obtained by the one or more pressure sensors may be communicated to a device located external to the patient, which may process the pressure data, and may further provide a display to a user including information relating to the processed pressure data. Where the implantable restriction device comprises an adjustable gastric band, the one or more pressure sensors may be located in any number of the following locations: an injection port, an interface between the injection port and a catheter, in a catheter, in-line with a catheter, adjacent to a catheter, in a gastric band, in a gastric band buckle, or elsewhere.

Pressure tuning of whispering gallery mode resonators

Abstract: The effect of hydrostatic pressure on solid and hollow microsphere optical resonators was investigated. The primary goal was to explore the feasibility of a micro-optical pressure sensor based on whispering gallery modes (WGMs) and to quantify the deleterious effect of environmental pressure changes on other WGM-based sensors. Expressions were developed for WGM shifts due to changes in hydrostatic pressure of the environment surrounding the spherical resonators. These expressions were validated through experiments in which the pressure-induced WGM shifts of hollow polymethyl methacrylate microspheres were monitored. The effect of atmospheric pressure variations on silica resonators is negligible, but hydrostatic pressure may be effective in the optical tuning of hollow polymer spheres.

Gas compositional and pressure effects on thermographic phosphor thermometry

Abstract: In the present study, the influence of gas compositional and pressure conditions on thermographic phosphor thermometry was investigated. A heatable pressurized and optical accessible calibration chamber was built to measure the phosphorescence decay time at different temperatures as well as at different partial and absolute pressures. At room temperature, the absolute pressure could be increased to 30 bar. To vary the gas composition, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane, helium as well as water vapour were used. Three different phosphors were investigated: Mg4FGeO6:Mn, La2O2S:Eu and Y2O3:Eu. Phosphorescence was excited by the third and the fourth harmonics of a pulsed Nd:YAG-laser (355 nm and 266 nm, respectively) and recorded temporally resolved by a photomultiplier. Mg4FGeO6:Mn as well as La2O2S:Eu were not influenced significantly by varying partial and absolute pressures. In contrast, Y2O3:Eu showed a strong sensitivity on the oxygen concentration of the surrounding gas phase as well as irreversible changes in the phosphorescence decay time after increasing the absolute pressure.

Dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC): A novel device for studying the dynamic-pressure properties of materials

Abstract: We have developed a unique device, a dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC), which repetitively applies a time-dependent load/pressure profile to a sample. This capability allows studies of the kinetics of phase transitions and metastable phases at compression (strain) rates of up to 500 GPa/sec ({approx}0.16 s{sup -1} for a metal). Our approach adapts electromechanical piezoelectric actuators to a conventional diamond anvil cell design, which enables precise specification and control of a time-dependent applied load/pressure. Existing DAC instrumentation and experimental techniques are easily adapted to the dDAC to measure the properties of a sample under the varying load/pressure conditions. This capability addresses the sparsely studied regime of dynamic phenomena between static research (diamond anvil cells and large volume presses) and dynamic shock-driven experiments (gas guns, explosive and laser shock). We present an overview of a variety of experimental measurements that can be made with this device.

Microfabricated implantable wireless pressure sensor for use in biomedical applications and pressure measurement and sensor implantation methods

Abstract: A variable capacitor, a microfabricated implantable pressure sensor including a variable capacitor and an inductor, and related pressure measurement and implantation methods. The inductor may have a fixed or variable inductance. A variable capacitor and pressure sensors include a flexible member that is disposed on a substrate and defines a chamber. Capacitor elements extend indirectly from the flexible member. Sufficient fluidic pressure applied to an exterior surface of the flexible member causes the flexible member to move or deform, thus causing the capacitance and/or inductance to change. Resulting changes in resonant frequency or impedance can be detected to determine pressure, e.g., intraocular pressure.

Determining the mechanical response of particle-laden fluid interfaces using surface pressure isotherms and bulk pressure measurements of droplets

Abstract: The mechanical response of particle-laden fluid interfaces is determined by measuring the internal pressures of particle-coated drops as a function of the drop volume. The particle monolayers undergoing compression–expansion cycles exhibit three distinct states: fluid state, jammed state, and buckled state. The P–V curves are compared to the surface pressure isotherms Π–A that are measured using a Langmuir trough and a Wilhelmy plate on a flat water–decane interface covered with the same particles. We find that in the fluid and jammed states, the water drop in decane can be described by the Young–Laplace equation. Therefore in these relatively low compression states, the bulk pressure measurements can be used to deduce the interfacial tension of the droplets and yield similar surface pressure isotherms to the ones measured with the Wilhelmy plate. In the buckled state, the internal pressure of the drop yields a zero value, which is consistent with the zero interfacial tension measured with the Wilhelmy plate. Moreover we find that the compressibility in the jammed state does not depend on the particle size.

Packaging Effect on MEMS Pressure Sensor Performance

Abstract: In this study, the effect of epoxy based molding compound packaging on a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor performance is investigated. A series of experiments were conducted to characterize the MEMS sensor over temperature and pressure changes by measuring output voltage signals. The sensor was modeled by a finite element method to investigate the stress developments. The molding compound was assumed as elastic and viscoelastic material to examine the material modeling effect on the calculation results. The model was verified by comparing the calculated results with experimental data. It was found that the stress induced by the molding compound had significant influence on the sensor performance, and the accuracy of the calculations was highly dependent on the modeling of the molding compound. Based on the results, the mechanism of the stress development and its effect on the sensor signal were discussed

Optimal design on SAW sensor for wireless pressure measurement based on reflective delay line

Abstract: This paper presents optimal design on wireless pressure micro-sensor based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) reflective delay line. Using the coupling-of-modes (COM) analysis, the device was simulated, and the effect of reflector configuration and interdigital transducer (IDT) structure on the performance of the devices was studied. From the COM simulation results, a 440 MHz SAW-based pressure sensor based on a reflective delay line on 41 ◦ YX LiNbO3 with shorted circuit grating reflectors and single-phase unidirectional transducers (SPUDT) structure was developed experimentally. Using the network analyzer, the SAW sensor was wirelessly characterized, and the experiment results were well matched with simulation data. Sharp reflection peaks, low insertion loss and few spurious signals between the peaks were observed. Obtained pressure sensitivity was 2.67 ◦ /kPa.

Tire Pressure Monitoring [Applications of Control]

Abstract: Proper tire inflation pressure improves fuel economy, reduces braking distance, improves handling, and increases tire life, while underinflation creates overheating and can lead to accidents. Approximately 3/4 of all automobiles operate with at least one underinflated tire. Beginning with 2006 models, all passenger cars and trucks in the United States are required to have tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMSs). A TPMS is a driver-assist system that warns the driver when the tire pressure is below or above the prescribed limits. TPMSs are classified into two categories, namely, direct and indirect. In direct TPMSs, the pressure drop is calculated based on actual pressure measurements through sensors. In contrast, measurements such as wheel speed are used in indirect TPMSs.

Diamond anvil Raman gauge in multimegabar pressure range

Abstract: The first-order Raman band of diamond anvils has been investigated at pressure up to 380 GPa in order to develop an optical pressure determination method. The high frequency edge of the band was calibrated by the pressure scale of the equation of state of Pt. The universality of the relationship between the sample pressure and the edge-frequency was confirmed up to 370 GPa and the usefulness of the diamond anvil Raman gauge was demonstrated. Using the diamond anvil Raman spectroscopy, the stress-state of the anvil culet was directly observed in the multimegabar pressure range. Obtained pressure dependence of the shear stress suggested further extension of feasible pressure beyond 400 GPa.

Noninvasive measurement of intra-aneurysmal pressure and flow pattern using phase contrast with vastly undersampled isotropic projection imaging.

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Currently, more reliable parameters to predict the risk of aneurysmal rupture are needed. Intra-aneurysmal pressure gradients and flow maps could provide additional information regarding the risk of rupture. Our hypothesis was that phase contrast with vastly undersampled isotropic projection reconstruction (PC-VIPR), a novel 3D MR imaging sequence, could accurately assess intra-aneurysmal pressure gradients in a canine aneurysmal model when compared with invasive measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 13 surgically created aneurysms in 8 canines were included in this study. Pressure measurements were performed in the parent vessel, aneurysm neck, and 5 regions within the aneurysmal sac with a microcatheter. PC-VIPR sequence was used to obtain cardiac-gated velocity measurements in a region covering the entire aneurysm. The velocity and pressure gradient maps derived from the PC-VIPR data were then coregistered with the anatomic DSA images and compared with catheter measurements. RESULTS: In 7 of the bifurcation aneurysms, the velocity flow maps demonstrated a recirculation flow pattern with a small neck-to-dome pressure gradient (mean, +0.5 mm Hg). In 1 bifurcation aneurysm, a flow jet extending from the neck to the dome with significantly greater pressure gradient (+50.2 mm Hg) was observed. All sidewall aneurysms had low flow in the sac with intermediate pressure gradients (mean, +8.3 mm Hg). High statistical correlation existed between PC-VIPR aneurysmal pressures and microcatheter pressure measurements ( R = 0.82, P CONCLUSION: PC-VIPR can provide anatomic as well as noninvasive quantitative and qualitative hemodynamic information in the canine aneurysm model. The PC-VIPR intra-aneurysmal pressure measurements correlated well with catheter measurements.

A silicon directly bonded capacitive absolute pressure sensor

Abstract: A silicon directly bonded capacitive absolute pressure sensor is presented in this paper. The sensor consists of a vacuum-sealed cavity and a parallel plate capacitance microstructure fabricated by silicon direct bonding. The flexible single crystal silicon diaphragm whose thickness can be well controlled was completed by two steps of silicon direct bonding, and the sealed cavity was formed at the same time. Lead-transfer was realized by the thermo-compression bonding. The performance of the sensor was simulated by ANSYS software. The experimental results were compared with the theoretical values. It shows that the sensor provides a dynamic range of 1040–520 mbar, has a sensitivity of 1.58 fF/mbar. The nonlinearity of the full range (FSO) is less than 6.47%, while the nonlinearity in 520–680 mbar, 680–840 mbar and 840–1040 mbar is less than 0.68%, 2.03% and 1.28%, respectively. The maximum hysteresis error occurs in the range of 680–840 mbar, the error over the capacitance change of the full range is about 2.43%, and the sensor has a TCO of 181.5 ppm/°C.

Remote sensing of surface pressure on Mars with the Mars Express/OMEGA spectrometer: 1. Retrieval method

Abstract: [1] Observing and analyzing the variations of pressure on the surface of a planet is essential to understand the dynamics of its atmosphere. On Mars the absorption by atmospheric CO2 of the solar light reflected on the surface allows us to measure the surface pressure by remote sensing. We use the imaging spectrometer OMEGA aboard Mars Express, which provides an excellent signal to noise ratio and the ability to produce maps of surface pressure with a resolution ranging from 400 m to a few kilometers. Surface pressure is measured by fitting spectra of the CO2 absorption band centered at 2 μm. To process the hundreds of thousands of pixels present in each OMEGA image, we have developed a fast and accurate algorithm based on a line-by-line radiative transfer model which includes scattering and absorption by dust aerosols. In each pixel the temperature profile, the dust opacity, and the surface spectrum are carefully determined from the OMEGA data set or from other sources to maximize the accuracy of the retrieval. We estimate the 1-σ relative error to be around 7 Pa in bright regions and about 10 Pa in darker regions, with a possible systematic bias on the absolute pressure lower than 30 Pa (4%). The method is first tested by comparing an OMEGA pressure retrieval obtained over the Viking Lander 1 (VL1) landing site with in situ measurements recorded 30 years ago by the VL1 barometer. The retrievals are further validated using a surface pressure predictor which combines the VL1 pressure records with the MOLA topography and meteorological pressure gradients simulated with a General Circulation Model. A good agreement is obtained. In particular, OMEGA is able to monitor the seasonal variations of the surface pressure in Isidis Planitia. Such a tool can be applied to detect meteorological phenomena, as described by Spiga et al. (2007).

Flammability envelopes for methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile and toluene

Abstract: The flammability envelope was experimentally determined up to the point of vapor saturation for four flammable liquids: methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and toluene. The experimental apparatus consisted of a 20-L spherical chamber with a centrally located 10 J fuse wire igniter. The liquid was injected and vaporized into the chamber via a septum and a precision syringe. Nitrogen and oxygen were mixed from pure components using a precision pressure gauge. Pressure versus time data were measured for each ignition test. Flammability was defined as any ignition resulting in an increase in pressure of 7% over the initial pressure, as per ASTM E 918–83. All data were obtained at an initial temperature of 298 K and 1 atm. The experimental values of the LFL agreed well with published values. Limiting oxygen concentrations (LOC) were also determined—although these were somewhat lower than published values. The calculated adiabatic flame temperature (CAFT) method was used to model the data using a threshold temperature of 1200 K. A reasonable fit of the flammability envelope was obtained, although this could be improved with a higher threshold temperature.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH Noninvasive Measurement of Intra-Aneurysmal Pressure and Flow Pattern Using Phase Contrast with Vastly Undersampled Isotropic Projection Imaging

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Currently, more reliable parameters to predict the risk of aneurysmal rupture are needed. Intra-aneurysmal pressure gradients and flow maps could provide additional information regarding the risk of rupture. Our hypothesis was that phase contrast with vastly undersampled isotropic projection reconstruction (PC-VIPR), a novel 3D MR imaging sequence, could accurately assess intra-aneurysmal pressure gradients in a canine aneurysmal model when compared with invasive measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 13 surgically created aneurysms in 8 canines were included in this study. Pressure measurements were performed in the parent vessel, aneurysm neck, and 5 regions within the aneurysmal sac with a microcatheter. PC-VIPR sequence was used to obtain cardiac-gated velocity measurements in a region covering the entire aneurysm. The velocity and pressure gradient maps derived from the PC-VIPR data were then coregistered with the anatomic DSA images and compared with catheter measurements. RESULTS: In 7 of the bifurcation aneurysms, the velocity flow maps demonstrated a recirculation flow pattern with a small neck-to-dome pressure gradient (mean, 0.5 mm Hg). In 1 bifurcation aneurysm, a flow jet extending from the neck to the dome with significantly greater pressure gradient (50.2 mm Hg) was observed. All sidewall aneurysms had low flow in the sac with intermediate pressure gradients (mean, 8.3 mm Hg). High statistical correlation existed between PC-VIPR aneurysmal pressures and microcatheter pressure measurements (R 0.82, P .01). CONCLUSION: PC-VIPR can provide anatomic as well as noninvasive quantitative and qualitative hemodynamic information in the canine aneurysm model. The PC-VIPR intra-aneurysmal pressure measurements correlated well with catheter measurements.

Microfluidic pressure sensing using trapped air compression.

Abstract: We have developed a microfluidic method for measuring the fluid pressure head experienced at any location inside a microchannel. The principal component is a microfabricated sealed chamber with a single inlet and no exit; the entrance to the single inlet is positioned at the location where pressure is to be measured. The pressure measurement is then based on monitoring the movement of a liquid–air interface as it compresses air trapped inside the microfabricated sealed chamber and calculating the pressure using the ideal gas law. The method has been used to measure the pressure of the air stream and continuous liquid flow inside microfluidic channels (d ∼ 50 µm). Further, a pressure drop has also been measured using multiple microfabricated sealed chambers. For air pressure, a resolution of 700 Pa within a full-scale range of 700–100 kPa was obtained. For liquids, pressure drops as low as 70 Pa were obtained in an operating range from 70 Pa to 10 kPa. Since the method primarily uses a microfluidic sealed chamber, it does not require additional fabrication steps and may easily be incorporated in several lab-on-a-chip fluidic applications for laminar as well as turbulent flow conditions.

Neutral gas density depletion due to neutral gas heating and pressure balance in an inductively coupled plasma

Abstract: The spatial distribution of neutral gas temperature and total pressure have been measured for pure N2, He/5%N2 and Ar/5%N2 in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) reactor, and a significant rise in the neutral gas temperature has been observed. When thermal transpiration is used to correct total pressure measurements, the total pressure remains constant regardless of the plasma condition. Neutral pressure is depleted due to the pressure balance when the plasma pressure (mainly electron pressure) becomes comparable to the neutral pressure in high density plasma. Since the neutral gas follows the ideal gas law, the neutral gas density profile was obtained from the neutral gas temperature and the corrected neutral pressure measurements. The results show that the neutral gas density at the centre of the plasma chamber (factor of 2–4 ×) decreases significantly in the presence of a plasma discharge. Significant spatial variation in neutral gas uniformity occurs in such plasmas due to neutral gas heating and pressure balance.

SU-8 waveguiding interferometric micro-sensor for gage pressure measurement

Abstract: The authors present a successful modeling, realization and characterization of a new micro-sensor based on a convenient optical principle, namely an integrated Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI). This MZI device is designed with a view to measuring pressure disturbances due to optical path variations. Such a system is arranged in order to work in intensity modulation scheme. Moreover, the MZI is made up of straight and bent rib optical waveguides composed of SU-8 polymer. The mainstay of the device is based on differential measurements performed by a sensing arm arranged with a micromachined membrane and actuated by a given pressure disturbance, while the second arm of the interferometer is considered as a reference one. The main parameters of each element are given by way of two modeling approaches: an optical modeling with a semi-vectorial finite difference method together with a conformal transformation, and a mechanical modeling with a finite-element method associated to the mechanical theory of membranes. So, as the pressure to be measured is applied upon the diaphragm, an optical path variation of the acting arm is induced. After the combination of both signals, the variation at the output of the system is measured. A prototype is characterized by way of a micro-optical injection bench specifically designed to allow an efficient end-fire coupling into the waveguides.

Blind identification of the aortic pressure waveform from multiple peripheral artery pressure waveforms

Abstract: We have developed a new technique to estimate the clinically relevant aortic pressure waveform from multiple, less invasively measured peripheral artery pressure waveforms. The technique is based on multichannel blind system identification in which two or more measured outputs (peripheral artery pressure waveforms) of a single-input, multi-output system (arterial tree) are mathematically analyzed so as to reconstruct the common unobserved input (aortic pressure waveform) to within an arbitrary scale factor. The technique then invokes Poiseuille's law to calibrate the reconstructed waveform to absolute pressure. Consequently, in contrast to previous related efforts, the technique does not utilize a generalized transfer function or any training data and is therefore entirely patient and time specific. To demonstrate proof of concept, we have evaluated the technique with respect to four swine in which peripheral artery pressure waveforms from the femoral and radial arteries and a reference aortic pressure waveform from the descending thoracic aorta were simultaneously measured during diverse hemodynamic interventions. We report that the technique reliably estimated the entire aortic pressure waveform with an overall root mean squared error (RMSE) of 4.6 mmHg. For comparison, the average overall RMSE between the peripheral artery pressure and reference aortic pressure waveforms was 8.6 mmHg. Thus the technique reduced the RMSE by 47%. As a result, the technique also provided similar improvements in the estimation of systolic pressure, pulse pressure, and the ejection interval. With further successful testing, the technique may ultimately be employed for more precise monitoring and titration of therapy in, for example, critically ill and hypertension patients.

Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurement of the Flow around a Simplified Car Model

Abstract: In applying Pressure-Sensitive Paint (PSP) to low-speed flow wind tunnel testing, it is important to minimize any measurement uncertainties. There are various error sources such as camera noise, misalignment of images due to model displacement and temperature distribution over the model. Among these factors, the effects of temperature distribution change during tests on pressure measurement accuracies were studied in the present paper. Pressure and temperature distributions over a simplified car model (1/10 scale Ahmed model) were measured using PSP and Temperature-Sensitive Paint (TSP). Sequential images were acquired at the same intervals over the entire test period, including for the conditions before and after the tunnel run. As a result, it was found that the measurement error caused by temperature distribution over the model could be reduced using a single-point temperature measurement. In addition, by measuring surface temperature distributions on the model using TSP, it was proved that the most accurate pressure measurement could be made by rationing the wind-off image acquired immediately after shutting down the tunnel to the wind-on image acquired immediately before shutting down the tunnel. Using the present measurement technique, complicated pressure fields over the Ahmed model were successfully visualized.

Dual span absolute pressure sense die

Abstract: An absolute pressure sensor includes (200) a sense die (220) with a reference chamber (230) on a top side thereof. The reference chamber comprises a precisely fabricated beam (240) that limits the travel of a diaphragm (210). The beam can be positioned in a cap or cover member (250) of the sense die, thereby allowing the sense die diaphragm to move freely for a particular distance. Over this distance, the sense die will have one sensitivity. When the sense die is pressurized to a certain point, the diaphragm moves until it contacts the beam member in the cap or cover. When the diaphragm hits the beam, the sensitivity of the sense die changes, thereby allowing a smaller voltage out for the greater pressure in. Such an arrangement permits the sensor to provide a function that accurately measures low pressure and measures a higher pressure without utilizing a linear scale.

Microchannel Pressure Measurements Using Molecular Sensors

Abstract: Fluid mechanics on the microscale is an important subject for researchers who are interested in studying microdevices since physical phenomena change from macroscale to microscale. Channel flow is a fundamental topic for fluid mechanics. By using a molecular sensor known as pressure-sensitive paint (PSP), detailed pressure data can be obtained inside the microchannel and at the channel entrance. The achievable spatial resolution of the acquired pressure map can be as high as 5 mum. PSP measurements are obtained for various pressure ratios from 1.76 to 20, with Knudsen number (K n) varying from 0.003 to 0.4. Compressibility and rarefaction effects can be seen in the pressure data inside the microchannel and at the channel entrance.